Leg setting apparatus



Oct. 30, 1934. M. w L 1,978,618

LEG SETTING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1935 2 SheetsSheet l n r| 1 I Inventor A M. Bo dwell f1 Home y Oct. 30, 1934.

A. M. BIDWELL LEG SETTING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invenlor A. M- ,Bz dwell Patented Oct. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The present invention relates to a surgical apparatus which is particularly for use in setting fractured legs and has for some of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

device of this character which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight, which may be manufactured at low cost, and which may be expeditiously assembled for use and knocked 0 down or disassembled.

r drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:-

Figure l is a top plan View of anapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation.

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figures 5 to 12, inclusive, are detail perspective views of the elements constituting the apparatus.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially T-shaped frame which is designated generally by the reference numeral 1, said frame including a longitudinal bar 2 having mounted transversely on one end thereof a cross bar 3. The frame 1 is supported in elevated position on uprights 4 which are connected to the end portions of the cross bar 3 and an upright 5 which is connected to the end portion of the longitudinal bar 2 which is remote from said cross bar 3. The elements 2 to 5, inclusive, are preferably substantially square in cross section.

Connected to the longitudinal bar 2, and depending therefrom adjacent the cross bar 3, is a rod 6. A longitudinal rod '7 extends between the lower end portions of the rod 6 and the upright 5. Mounted horizontally on an intermediate portion of the upright 5 is a cross rod 8 and extending between the end portions of said rod 8 and intermediate portions of the uprights 4 are rods 9. The members 6 to 9, inclusive, are preferably of circular cross section.

The use of the apparatus is briefly stated as follows.

The apparatus is placed upon the bed or other support upon which the patient is reposing with the rod 6 engaged against the perineum, or crotch, of said patient and the fractured leg is suspended from the longitudinal bar 2 of the suspension frame 1 through the medium of suitably arranged bandages. Posterior angulation, or sag, is corrected through the medium of a bandage from the bar 2 to the site of the fracture. Lateral angulation may be corrected by running bands of bandage from the rods 9 to the site of fracture. If traction or extension of the fracture is desired, this may be accomplished by running a band of bandage from the foot of the uninjured leg to the lower portion of the upright 5 and then running a band of bandage from the ankle and foot of the injured leg to the intermediate portion of said upright 5. Then, a length or lengths of adhesive plaster may be run at an inclination from the bar 2 to the plantar surface of the foot of the injured leg to hold the foot in appropriate dorsiilexion and slight inversion.

The members 2 to 9, inclusive, are preferably of wood and said members are detachably connected together by suitable means, such as pin and hole or tongue and slot joints to permit the apparatus to be expeditiously assembled or set up for use and knocked down or disassembled.

It is believed that the many advantages of a leg setting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, particularly by those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is: l

A knock-down leg setting apparatus comprising a T-shaped frame including a longitudinal member and a cross member detachably connected together, supporting posts for the cross member having pins in their upper ends engaging in apertures in the ends of the cross member, a supporting post for the free end of the longitudinal frame member and having a pin in its upper end engaging an opening in the free end of the longitudinal frame member, a cross bar secured to the last named supporting post, brace rods connecting the supporting posts for the cross member of the frame with the cross bar con nected with the supporting post for the longitudinal frame member, a perineal post having a pin in its upper end engaging an opening in the longitudinal frame member adjacent the cross member of the frame, and a rod connecting the lower end of the perineal post with the supporting post of the longitudinal frame member, said rod having its opposite ends detachably connected respectively with the perineal post and the referred to supporting member.

ALFRED MORRELL BIDWELL. 

